CP names Hardy VP of grain, fertilizer sales

Canadian Pacific has hired Joan Hardy as vice president sales and marketing, grain and fertilizer. She will begin her new job April 1.

Hardy joins CP after 12 years at Richardson International — one of Canada's largest agri-businesses and a global leader in agriculture and food processing — where she served as vice president, transportation.

At Richardson, Hardy was responsible for rail, marine and truck transportation, as well as sales contract management and administration across the company's North American network, CP officials said in a press release.

Prior to joining Richardson, Hardy spent 21 years at CN, where she held numerous roles, including assistant vice president-sales and senior director in CN's customer service center.

In Hardy, CP is getting a proven leader with experience across the grain-supply industry, said CP Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer John Brooks.

"She brings to the table an incredible combination of 20-plus years of railroad experience and more than a decade as a grain and fertilizer shipper and customer of the railways," Brooks said. "Her unique blend of experience will only enhance the customer experience for CP shippers while further cementing CP's role as a leader within the grain supply chain."

Hardy will be based in Winnipeg, Manitoba, the home of key grain shippers.

"I am very excited to leverage my experience and skills to further improve CP's service in the grain and fertilizer space and to assist CP in delivering for its customers, shareholders and employees," she said.

Hardy is joining CP as it and Class I competitor CN respond to grain shippers' concerns over a backlog of shipments due to extreme winter weather and other issues. Earlier this week, both Canadian Class Is announced their efforts to improve the grain shipment situation.